James Murphy
THE OneFortyOne Mount Gambier Pioneers women will hit the road for the opening round of the 2024 NBL1 South season this weekend.
After a heart-breaking end to their 2023 campaign, which concluded in the preliminary final with a one-point loss to eventual champions Bendigo Braves, the team is eager to hit the court running this season.
Women’s head coach Matt Sutton spoke to The Border Watch this week at the club’s media launch and expressed his excitement for the season to come.
He said the team looks good and is eager to see them on court this weekend for the competition opener.
“Preparation has been really pleasing,” Sutton said.
“We are adding new pieces in, so we are a little bit of an unknown until we get some games under out belt, but we are pretty comfortable with where we are sitting.”
With several new faces in the roster, there will be plenty of fresh talent for Pioneers fans to behold.
They will have a chance to do so in person in Round 2, when the Pioneers play their first home games of the year at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on April 13 and 14.
The women’s side is near to full strength, with just one new recruit still pending.
“We still have Tayah Burrows to come in, that won’t be until mid-to-late April depending on how she goes in Sweden,” Sutton said.
In regards to the new blood, Sutton has been impressed so far.
“Sammy Fatkin has fit in really well and Zoe Hurley has brought aggression and a strong skill set,” he said.
“Then we had Keryl Ousey re-join the group this week and she has fit back in perfectly.”
While there are several new faces in the roster, these have only added depth to an already strong foundation.
The women have been able to retain their core group, with the likes of Isabella Brancatisano, Haliegh Reinoehl and Sherrie Calleia all returning, while Sutton looked forward to having a fit Zitina Aokuso at his disposal after an injury-plagued 2023.
“We have a core group who have been here for a little while now and they understand my coaching and what we are trying to achieve,” Sutton said.
“It is a real blessing.”
Brancatisano will captain the team this season, while Reinoehl is vice captain, with their natural leadership clear to see on and off the court.
The opening round will be a good test for the side with a double header on the road against Sandringham Sabres and Waverley Falcons.
